[ad_1]
Not much is practically the same this Christmas as it was last year, but the stakes for this afternoon’s Hunt for King George VI, the main event of the holiday season, seem eerily familiar. Clan Des Obeaux, Cyrname and Lostintranslation were the top three in betting 12 months ago and today they dominate the market again, with only Santini, runner-up from last season’s Gold Cup, who was the defeated favorite in the Kauto Star Novice Chase ago. one year – to remind us that it is 2020 and not 2019.
Their prices are a bit different, of course, as Clan Des Obeaux was kicked out to what now seems like the insulting price of 11-2 to win a second consecutive King George, while Cyrname was the 5-4 favorite with Lostintranslation (15 – 8) not far away.
The luck of the three has fluctuated since then, and Cyrname, oddly enough for a Grade One chase, is the only runner in the nine-person field who was a winner last time out. But this is still a very deep and competitive King George, and even his devastating success in the Charlie Hall Hunt last time is currently only good enough to make him the second seed today around 11-4, behind Clan. Des Obeaux at 5- 2.
Santini is an unexpected opponent for the three after being added to the race at a cost of £ 5,000 five days ago, but this really doesn’t seem like his ideal test, he probably needs a bit more on a stiffer track, but that’s included. at its price, while Lostintranslation would also be a very credible winner in its prime. He is 9-1 for his inconsistency rather than his lack of talent.
There are also live outsiders to consider – the ever-popular Frodon and Bryony Frost, for example, are 25-1 to win despite being just 3 pounds lower than Clan Des Obeaux in official ratings. His army of fans will be kicked until next Christmas if he walks in without a back. Waiting patiently, despite a long absence, he has a way to beat the odds to around 16-1 as well if he’s fit enough to do himself justice.
In fact, the 100-1 shot Black Op is really the only runner who can be confidently ruled out (and even he’s a Grade One winner in hurdles who finished a distance from Santini at Cheltenham three seasons ago). It promises to be quite a show when the tape plays at 3pm.
Of course, it will not be the conclusion that anyone would have expected, as Sunbury’s recent move to Level 4 has meant that spectators will not be able to participate in today’s race. King George’s day typically has a unique and traditional buzz, as more than 10,000 people extend the Christmas festivities to a second day and even the 2,000 race-goers who were anticipated just eight days ago would have been a start. Unfortunately, it was not.
But with three Grade Ones on the card, including the Epatante Champion Hurdler at the Christmas Hurdle at 2.25, there’s still plenty to entertain everyone at home. You can follow all the action here as the day progresses, Chris Cook’s advice for TV racing is here, and it all starts at 12:40.
[ad_2]